The Odisha government has unveiled a strategic plan to harness a new central financing platform to speed up the construction of affordable homes and rental housing units across the state. Officials confirmed that the state will leverage the Urban Invest Window (UiWIN), recently launched by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (Hudco), to accelerate projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0.
What is UiWIN and How Will Odisha Use It?
The UiWIN initiative was rolled out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in November last year with a core objective: to strengthen urban infrastructure financing and project development pan-India. In a directive, the state's housing and urban development department has instructed municipal commissioners and executive officers of major towns to familiarize themselves with UiWIN's features to begin utilizing the platform.
In a formal communication to civic bodies, Subhananda Mohapatra, Mission Director of the Odisha Urban Housing Mission, outlined the plan. "The govt of Odisha proposes to develop projects in multiple cities under the affordable housing and affordable rental housing verticals of PMAY-U 2.0," he wrote. He emphasized that Hudco developed UiWIN precisely to bolster financing and project development for urban infrastructure.
The platform is not just a funding portal. It offers tailor-made solutions for Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation, planning studies, impact assessments, and project management consultancy. Beyond housing, it facilitates long-term financing for critical urban infrastructure like water supply, sewerage, roads, power, and Metro projects. A key feature is its ability to provide loans to bridge delays in fund release and support counterpart funding for the state's share in central schemes.
Focus Cities and Ongoing Projects
State officials expect this move to mobilize crucial investments and fast-track housing projects in urban centers where demand is soaring. The primary focus will be on cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, and Paradip.
The housing department already has a running start. In Bhubaneswar alone, it has developed four affordable housing projects—two in Chandrasekharpur and one each in Subuddhipur and Satya Nagar. A new project is proposed for the Ghatikia area. Furthermore, the government has initiated several rental housing projects in the capital city to offer quality living options for laborers in urban areas.
"The technology of Hudco will help us plan and complete the planned projects on time," a senior urban development official stated, highlighting the expected efficiency gains from adopting the UiWIN system.
Coordinated Push for Timely Execution
Ensuring these projects stay on schedule is a top priority for the state administration. A recent high-level meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary Usha Padhee, was convened specifically to discuss the execution model for affordable housing projects in Odisha.
During the discussions, officials stressed the necessity of close coordination among all stakeholders to avoid delays. The meeting also explored innovative engagement strategies, including partnering with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). These NGOs are envisioned to play a pivotal role as key enablers in beneficiary outreach, awareness campaigns, verification processes, and providing post-allotment support to new homeowners.
This multi-pronged approach—combining a advanced digital financing platform with on-ground coordination and community engagement—signals Odisha's determined push to meet its urban housing goals under the national PMAY-U 2.0 mission.
